Candy Cane Drive hits Cheney on Dec. 18

CHENEY – The Local No. 1919 firefighter union is once again embarking on its annual Candy Cane Drive around the city Dec. 18 to bolster some holiday cheer for the community.

City Fire Chief Tom Jenkins said he is personally thankful the city is continuing a long-standing tradition of the Fire Department directly interacting with and giving back to the community.

Jenkins talked about a department’s “need to be needed” by the community they serve.

He compared the feelings of giving back to the community to the feeling of comradery a squad feels after putting out a fire and flawlessly executing years of training – it’s a priceless sense of belonging.

Last year’s COVID-19 friendly Candy Cane Drive stole that feeling of accomplishment and he’s ecstatic to don the iconic beard and hat once more and get to look his community in the eye as he passes out candy canes.

When you put on the costume it morphs into a life of its own, he said.

Jenkins said and believes he can bring a much more “personal touch to the role” while he’s meeting children and handing them candy canes face-to-face.

The Candy Cane Drive will start around 4:45 p.m. at Gregory Walker and take a scenic route through town and end about 7 p.m. at the shopping center parking at the corner of Betz Road and state Highway 904.

Not to be outdone, there will also be a Christmas tree drive at the Marketplace to benefit the local Firefighter’s Benevolence Fund.

This is a silent auction where participants buy $1 raffle tickets and enter for their chance to win themed Christmas trees stuffed to the brim with gifts.

Many of the trees were donated by local businesses.

Some of these prize packs have more than $1,500 worth of goods, services and trips.

Raffle tickets can be entered until the auction ends Dec. 18; trees aren’t included with the gifts unless it’s specifically specified on the tree.